SWDFEF Newsletter

February 2019 Co-Founders: Nick Saunders ( City DSA) & David Munn ( Town DSA)

sharing experiences to improve disabled SWDFEF, Coral Gables, 18 Lincoln Close, Feniton, , EX14 3EQ access and services for disabled fans Tel: 01404 850962 Email: [email protected]

Editor: David Munn (Yeovil Town DSA) Mobile: 07891 986053

South West Disabled Fans’ Experience Forum You do not really understand something unless you T.E.A.M. can explain it to your grandmother - Albert Einstein Together Everyone Achieves More Bristol City; Bristol Rovers; Cardiff City; Cheltenham Town; Exeter City; Forest Green Rovers; Newport County; Argyle; Swansea City; Swindon Town; Torquay United & Yeovil Town

Level Playing Field Yeovil Town DSA On 05 January, at the home game, Yeovil Christmas Meal on 03 December 2018 v Bury FC, we were privileged to receive A fantastic evening was enjoyed by over a visit from Liam Bird, the recently 100 people, which included appointed Level Playing Field Fans (Team Manager), Terry Skiverton (Asst Liaison Officer. Liam used this visit as a Team Manager) & Paul Terry (Team familiarization trip where he could coach) plus all the players. update himself with the activities of our own DSA. As well as the normal DSA A grand total of £389 was raised in the activities Liam was briefed about our raffle and auction, which included a ‘Soccer Sight’ set-up, including listening Francois Zoko signed shirt, 2 match day in to the match commentary and was tickets and a bottle of Brandy. also briefed about our SWDFEF activity. Our thanks go to Janet Lawrence, plus Liam said, “The results might not be Liam Bird’s report appears Janet Samways, Alexandra Samways & going Yeovil’s way on the pitch but the later in this newsletter. Eileen Becky for their organising of the Yeovil DSA is flying high”. draw and the magnificent prizes that they Give us your questions also provided. Plus our thanks must go to Clive Robinson & his team for an Plymouth Argyle DSA have suggested that, as an enhancement to our excellent Christmas menu. annual Forums, anyone who has a subject that they would welcome input and comments from other clubs, in between Forums, please email them to me at [email protected] and I will circulate them. Once ALL replies are received (no more than two weeks after I have raised the question), I will send all input and comments to every club. Thanks. Or you can use facebook page : - https://www.facebook.com/groups/DFSAT Yeovil Town DSA Experience is the name that everyone gives to their mistakes - Oscar Wilde Yeovil Town Football Club players and staff visit Lufton College

Exeter City DSA Exeter City’s Changing Places facility in the Stagecoach Stand was officially opened on the EFL’s Day of Disabilities, Monday 03 December. The new changing places room was part of the £3.5 million redevelopment of , which was completed in October 2018. The changing places facility has been a collaboration between the club and the Exeter City Disabled Supporters Association. The ECDSA raised £3000 which has paid for the bench, hoist and privacy screen. The funds were raised through their Christmas draw and bucket collections. Nick Saunders, ECDSA chairman said: “We at ECDSA strive to ensure access for all. The Changing Places room is a good chance to make an Team Manager Darren Way took his players and staff to Cambian Lufton improvement that has been missing. It is open to home & away supporters”. College, Yeovil on 18 December 2018 as part of their visits at Christmas time. The college is a specialist further education college for young people “This is a fantastic facility that is the first in Devon at a professional football with a learning disability and complex needs. A great afternoon was club. This has all be made possible by the hard work of the ECDSA enjoyed with some festive cheer and lots of memories to share. committee, it’s members and the fans of Exeter City Football Club.” Liam Bird of Level Playing Field, Yeovil DSA visit report - Part 1 of 3 Liam Bird of Level Playing Field, Yeovil DSA visit report - Part 2 of 3 The rebirth of the little green giants "It’s so important to put a face to a name in a small community like Yeovil. It means a lot to people" - David Munn "We've had letters from Manchester United and Liverpool supporters that said that they have travelled all over Europe and that our assistance when Since its rebirth in 2009, the DSA has gone on to hold regular social events it came to disabled parking and match day experience were one of the "We now have over 100 people attending some events" best they have seen. That's a huge compliment when you’re a small club in " - David Munn (DSA member and Audio Descriptive They offer guaranteed disability parking spaces and assistance from car Commentator) to seat, half time tea's and coffees, assistance blankets for supporters who are feeling the chill of and Audio Descriptive Commentary It may have taken the club 108 years to enter the Football League (Having for its blind and visually impaired supporters, just to name a few. formed in 1895 and promoted to the Football League in 2003 then going on to reach the heights of The Championship in 2013) the only league club It's not only the home fans that are treated like Yeovil family. The Away in Somerset are now fighting to continue their stay in the Football League, supporters are also high on the DSA’s list. but away from their battle on the pitch the Yeovil DSA are making "It starts before they come to the ground" mammoth strides in its quest to provide a match day experience that will rival its Premiership counterparts, even if the football on the pitch is not The DSA send out an away supporter’s pack, a week or two in advance, reaching that standard. with helpful game day information But this story of triumph and revere could have been very different! "In the pack is information on local transport, stadium facilities, letting them know that there are guaranteed parking spaces available for them Yeovil Town DSA formed in 1999 but the committee became '"dormant" and that we can post out a parking badge before they arrive. All this in 2004 but there was one person in the background with drive and information is so important for supporters who might feel nervous about determination who waved the flag for disabled supporters at Yeovil attending an away game. We want fans who come to Huish Park to feel Football Club. relaxed and enjoy a game of football and maybe come back again next "Being disabled myself I know how difficult it can be to attend games, So season with a friend who had the same anxiety as them, because they I did what I could to make sure there was still a voice at the club for know that they will be looked after!" - Mike Rowsell (DSA member and disabled Yeovil Town Supporters once the DSA went dormant" - Sharon fundraiser) Swain Away from match days, Mike has taken it upon himself to go out to the Sharon is now the Chair of the Yeovil Town DSA after it was reformed in public and educate the people of Yeovil about the work that DSAs do and the summer of 2009 and a new committee was elected. what can be offered at the club.

" My main reason for staying on after the DSA went dormant was to make "I went and spoke at one school and one of the teachers was so impressed sure that disabled parking was being guaranteed for my fellow disabled because she wasn’t aware that there was something like the DSA out supporters. Knowing that you had a guaranteed space could be the there. We as a DSA have to be out in the community and letting people difference between attending the game or not" know who we are and what we can offer for the good of the Club and DSA". Sharon oversaw disability parking was safeguarded and even went as far With a population of just under 45,000 Yeovil has one of the smallest as painting the parking numbers and lines herself. populations for a league club in England. Compared to its near-ish It wasn’t only the parking that Sharon oversaw. Before the reformation of neighbours Exeter with 129,000 and Bristol with 459,000. the DSA Sharon would write up to 80 personal letters to all the disabled "Although we are not a very big town, I think sometimes that can play to fans that the club knew of every season with club information and hand our advantage. Being a bigger club in a large town or city, you can lose deliver them through people's letterboxes. that community sense of who your members are and lose that personal touch" – Mike Rowsell Liam Bird of Level Playing Field, Yeovil DSA visit report - Part 3 of 3 Yeovil Town DSA It's these personal touches that have made this "small" club in Somerset awake from hibernation back in 2009 and become a giant within their footballing community. "It's not about offering the greatest facility it's about offering all that you can and delivering that to the best of the club’s and DSA’s ability. If you can make a fellow disabled supporter feel respected, valued, and made to feel like they matter for that hour and a half, I think that’s priceless." - Sharon Swain If you are interested in joining the Yeovil DSA or would like more information on Yeovil DSA then click the link. https://www.ytfcdsa.net/ If you would like to know more about DSAs or see if there is a DSA for your club then click this link. https://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/ DSA Christmas Bingo at Huish Park on Wednesday 12 December 2018 What a great night where a magnificent amount of £700 was raised for the DSA funds as we get closer to the Total amount required for our planned DSA Portacabin base at Huish Park. Congratulations to Tracy Wilson and her helpers for arranging this event and a special thanks to those who came and supported us for the evening.

Exeter City DSA 2018 Christmas Draw raises a massive £1,671.56 Over the last couple of months’, a group of volunteer ticket sellers, led by Committee Member Martin Robertson, have been busy persuading supporters and the good people of Exeter and beyond to part with a little bit of their hard-earned cash in exchange for a Christmas Draw raffle ticket. Again, for this year’s Christmas Draw (which is held every two years) we are The Christmas Craft & Toy Fair had some lovely stalls with a really good extremely grateful to all those who so kindly donated prizes for the draw variety of items. The event was advertised really well, in papers and including: - Exeter Nissan, Mi Space – Midas, GreenMyBusiness, Subway of posters everywhere plus on three local radio stations all week. Sidwell Street, Mr D Herniman, Signs Express, Hartley’s Certified Accountants, Elaine Davis & ECFC and ECDSA Committee Members, Congratulations to all who were involved in organising the day. together with everyone who sold and purchased draw tickets. The next Bingo evening and Craft & Toy Fair will be arranged during the The draw took place on Wednesday, December 12th at 7pm at the Park and 2019 Easter Period. was attended by City player & ECDSA President - Lee Holmes, together with Russell Lemon from Exeter Nissan who both helped to draw the lucky Portacabin Update - We now have the funds and are waiting for the winning tickets. All in all, there were 31 prizes up for grabs. (Nick Saunders) concrete base to be laid, then the Portacabin can be installed. Newport County DSA Newport County DSA (continued) Newport County AFC are delighted to support new group ‘Carers in the The support group will meet monthly at County’, launched by the Club and NCAFC Disabled Supporters Bar Amber and be facilitated by three Association (DSA) on the first ever #EFLDayofDisabilities on 03 December volunteers who are also members of the 2018 DSA; Jane Brussalis, Tina Olander and Robert Taylor. ‘Carers in the County’ forms part of the club’s commitment to supporting the local community and has been created by Newport County AFC's Disabled Supporters Association in partnership with Newport County AFC and Newport City Council. Although it has been set up to encourage engagement from County supporters who identify in this role, it is welcoming and open to everyone providing care for someone that is not part of their vocational responsibility. The group aims to provide information and advice on services, grants, and Further details of the meetings will be shared on the Official Club Social support available to people that are informal carers for family members or Media accounts. friends who may need additional support. Plymouth Argyle DSA Sometimes informal carers do not realise the rights or support they are entitled to as they see themselves as doing what is natural for friends or Plymouth Argyle’s new Grandstand is going ahead at a pace. The old family. It is recognised that this can be a stressful role that can often Stand has been partially removed and numerous HGV's are seen every change the dynamic of a relationship within a family or circle of friends day. The new shop is in situ and is being kitted out with an opening day and that is how ‘Carers in the County’ can help. planned very soon. PADSA (disabled supporters’ group) continue to be a part of the refurbishment. The new supporters bar has its metalwork Most people do not know where they can seek help and support, or may erected and its looking fantastic. We have been working closely with the have a negative view towards the local authority and the assistance Green Taverners who operate the bar and are very pleased that they are available to them. offering the opportunity to improve our match day experience by having With this in mind, ‘Carers in the County’ allows those with a common excellent Disabled access and facilities for our use. interest to meet up informally with others that understand them and discuss their concerns, views and hopes as well as the chance to have PADSA is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and plans are afoot some well-deserved time out. to have a Buffet early in March. Our new DLO at the club is now in post and although her work load is heavy, we have great communication links Cllr Paul Cockeram, Cabinet Member for Social Services, Newport City with her and the wider club. On the field our performances have been Council said: “Newport County AFC is truly leading the way to ensure an somewhat inconsistent however we are no longer bottom and have started excellent match day experience is accessible to everyone, from the club to fight to stay in League one. being dementia friendly to the support offered to unpaid carers and disabled supporters. Newport City Council appreciates how the club has We have our sponsors lunch in March, this was postponed before worked tirelessly to ensure fans can continue to feel a part of their Christmas owing to the building works. We had to change our sponsorship community and enjoy the well-being it brings to people supporting football in January after our player Gregg Wylde left the club. We now sponsor a at Rodney Parade. A special thanks to the dedication of the DSA for taking returning favourite Oscar Threlkeld who has recently come back to the the time to volunteer to make the club inclusive and welcoming to all”. club on loan. Swansea City DSA Swansea City DSA (continued) With committee meetings held monthly, and social gatherings held three times per season, the DSA Christmas party is an important time for members to get together to socialise. “Swansea City has a great reputation for supporting disabled fans,” explained Johns, the life president of the DSA. “It means a lot to the fans that the manager has come along. Plus, Alan Curtis is a legend of the club, everybody loves him!” Swans winger James said: “I really enjoyed it. We signed a few autographs, had pictures and were asked some great questions by the members. Kev even had us singing some Christmas carols! “I think a lot of these people have supported Swansea for a long time and I think it’s massive for disabled people to be able to watch the games. “I know a lot of them go to away games which is obviously a big effort but it’s great to see that they’re able to enjoy it as much as everyone else does.”

Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association (DSA) were treated to “I think a lot of these people have supported Swansea for a long time and special guest appearances from Graham Potter, Alan Curtis, Daniel James I think it’s massive for disabled people to be able to watch the games. and Jay Fulton at their annual Christmas party on Wednesday 05 December “I know a lot of them go to away games which is obviously a big effort but Potter, Curtis, James and Fulton met and mingled with the DSA members it’s great to see that they’re able to enjoy it as much as everyone else before singing Christmas carols at their social, which was compered by does.” Kevin Johns and held at the Liberty Stadium. Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action Cath Dyer, secretary and trust representative for the DSA, said: “We Why not get involved in Weeks of Action (2nd – 17th March 2019) enjoyed food, Christmas carols and a raffle, while Santa came out to give presents to the children. “You can see the happiness in everyone’s faces – they really enjoyed themselves. “The DSA is like one big family rather than an organisation. You can really feel the Christmas spirit in the atmosphere, as everyone’s come with their Christmas jumpers and tinsel. “We try to make the events as inclusive as possible – for young children and the older generation. “It’s a lovely way to round off the year.” The DSA, which launched in 2013, is continually growing, with 85 members at present. The DSA look to improve facilities and polices that affect disabled supporters by working with the club and other bodies.